sorex
Definition
Noun 1. The genus that is the type genus of the family Soricidae: Sorex is the scientific name for the genus containing many typical, long-tailed shrews. It is the central or representative genus for the entire shrew family.
Usage Examples
- Noun:
- The common shrew, found across Europe and Asia, belongs to the genus Sorex.
- Biologists studied several Sorex species to understand their high metabolic rates.
- The fossil record shows that Sorex has existed for millions of years.
Advanced Usage
- In taxonomic classification: The name is used in formal biological nomenclature to categorize a specific group of insectivores. It is always italicized in scientific writing.
- The specimen was keyed out as Sorex araneus.
Variants and Related Words
- Soricid (n): A member of the family Soricidae; a shrew.
- All soricids are small, insect-eating mammals.
- Soricinae (n): The subfamily that includes the genus and its closest relatives.
Synonyms
- Shrew genus: A descriptive, non-scientific term for the genus.
- (The) type genus of Soricidae: A formal description of its taxonomic role.
Notes on Meaning
This word has a single, highly specific meaning in scientific English (zoology/taxonomy). It is not used in everyday conversation. Its meaning is fixed and refers exclusively to the biological genus.
Noun
-
type genus of the family Soricidae: shrews
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